Toyota de Puerto Rico expands eco-friendly lineup with Prius V

The 2012 Toyota Prius V will be sold starting at $29,000 in the Puerto Rico market.

Toyota de Puerto Rico unveiled the latest addition to its eco-friendly lineup, the Prius V, which stands for versatility, something the vehicle promises to deliver through its greater interior space and cargo room, comfort, and fuel efficiency, among other features.

The company presented the vehicle to members of the media Tuesday morning, when Maribel Bengoa, marketing manager said the Prius V “elevates our commitment to the needs of our consumers and with the consideration for our environment.”

“This model will meet the expectations of young families that are growing and need a vehicle that is practical, modern and represents their commitment to the planet. Prius V is part of an evolution of the iconic Prius, which maintains the same values of low emissions, fuel efficiency and environmental commitment,” she said.

The Prius V offers the versatility of a mid-sized crossover vehicle, emphasizing on overall proportion with spaciousness and flexibility for active families. Among other things, its low, wide-opening rear hatch reveals 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, making it the most spacious dedicated hybrid vehicle on the market, Toyota said.

Under its hood, the Prius V uses the same Hybrid Synergy Drive system as the third-generation Prius, with the advantages of high mileage, low emissions, and never needing to be recharged. The Prius V will deliver estimated fuel economy ratings of 44 miles per gallon in city driving, 40 mpg on the highway and 42 mpg combined.

The first generation Prius debuted in the Puerto Rican market in 2003 “but its popularity spread like wildfire,” Bengoa said.

“It is the vehicle with the most fuel efficiency in the market, but beyond that, the Prius has become a statement of environmental advocates, for its ability to emit up to 80 percent less of the gases that affect global warming,” she said.

So far, Toyota has sold more than 2 million Prius units worldwide, a number company officials said reaffirms the vehicle’s legacy.

“Prius changed the rules of the game. Its success is a testament to Toyota’s commitment to responsible development of technologies that coexist in harmony with the environment,” Bengoa added. “The popularity of the Prius is a reflection of a new type of car buyer in our market that was not addressed before: well-informed customers with another set of priorities.”